And then there was one.
After the Seattle Seahawks agreed to terms with Mike Macdonald, the former Ravens defensive coordinator, on Wednesday to become their new head coach, the Washington Commanders were the only remaining head coaching vacancy.
On Tuesday, the perceived top candidate, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, surprised everyone by withdrawing his name. Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who interviewed with Washington, was announced as returning to Houston. It’s unknown how serious of a candidate Slowik was for the Commanders.
Washington fans clamored for Macdonald. There wasn’t as much enthusiasm for Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.
Entering this week, we know that Washington has interviewed the following eight candidates:
- Lions OC Ben Johnson (remaining in Detroit)
- Lions DC Aaron Glenn
- Ravens DC Mike Macdonald (Seattle)
- Ravens AHC/DL coach Anthony Weaver
- Commanders OC Eric Bieniemy
- Texans OC Bobby Slowik (remaining in Houston)
- Rams DC Raheem Morris (Atlanta)
- Cowboys DC Dan Quinn (Cowboys)
So, if we go by this list, four candidates remain. How serious of a candidate is Bieniemy? Or was this a courtesy interview because he was in the organization last year?
By all accounts, Quinn, Weaver and Glenn are the final candidates. We’ve heard rave reviews about Quinn and Weaver, but if one of them is Washington’s guy, why haven’t they been hired?
What if there is another candidate we don’t know about? It’s not going to be Bill Belichick. What about Mike Vrabel? How about Dolphins OC Frank Smith? Is there someone else?
Could Peters be waiting to interview someone from Kansas City or San Francisco’s staff after the Super Bowl? The two logical candidates would be 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Since the Commanders are the only team remaining with a vacancy, they may not feel the urgency to get something done. But the new head coach will need to complete his coaching staff. And if Washington lands a defensive-minded coach — which looks like a certainty — it must land a quality offensive coordinator.
The Commanders could expand their search. However, that appears doubtful as all signs point to either Quinn, Glenn, or Weaver at this point.
